Ford E350 Diesel Vans...school me.

[Angry Earl]

Yo brochachos.

Looking at getting a dedicated, long-range hauler and the e350 diesel is on the top of my list.

Planning on hauling a single car open trailer on roadtrips, plus tires and tools.

Looking at spending <$5k, and of course, trying to get the most bang for my buck.

I know a couple of dudes on here already got one, and looking for some good vibes from em.

Gonna be buying in CA, so rust shouldn't be an issue. What else should I look for?


- How long do these engines last? Seeing some for cheeeap but w/ over 500k miles...dang.

- Maintenance?

- Better years/engines than others? I want the 6.7l one, right? Of course, looking for the newest one I can get, with lowest miles, for the cheapest price.

- What all do I need to setup a reciever/hitch to make this trailer-ready? I dunno SHIT about towing, lol.




Halp.

[Angry Earl]

[stealthx32]

http://www.ziptied.com/forums/index.php?topic=36815.0

[stealthx32]

[Ash]

- Better years/engines then others? I want the 6.7l one, right? Of course, looking for the newest one I can get, with lowest miles, for the cheapest price.

You crazy.

You want the 7.3, I've found that it came in the "Clubwagons" more so than the E350s. 97 - 2003 had the best 7.3s. Get one of those.

[Ash]

[Keith]

We talked via PM but just for the record.

Only real negatives on these are:

They're noisy
Steering racks & tie rod ends seem to not last forever but they're cheap
They rust if you look at them.
They drive like a '50s sedan but are quite comfy.

That's it.  The rest is standard Ford stuff.  Trans needs to be rebuilt every 150-300k, YMMV. 

I absolutely love mine.

[Keith]

[Angry Earl]

Thanks again Keef!!!


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2555190343.html


Yay or nay?

[Angry Earl]

[Vosko]

whatcha gonna do if that one breaks ? spend more than the van cost to fix it ?

[Vosko]

[Angry Earl]

Ya...???

That's the name of the game...for, like...everything, right?



The high miles are definitely a turn-off, but also a lil alluring.

[Angry Earl]

[Vosko]

i meant like buy a $3000 one with 250k miles instead ? or somethign like that

[Vosko]

[Keith]

NAY.

That's the other thing I forgot.  Don't get the extended length version, sucks for towing.  Get the standard length w/o the long rear overhang.

And spend more for lower mileage. 

[Keith]

[Olive Garden]

Fuck for that much Id buy that thing to live in

[Olive Garden]

[Ash]

500k miles is a A LOT FUCKING METRIC TONNE on a 7.3.

[Ash]